Assets, Culture & Housing Cabinet Member – Minutes – 25 January 2016

32 (32) ASSETS OF COMMUNITY VALUE NOMINATIONS REGISTER AS AT 7 JANUARY 2016– The Director of Places submitted a report updating the Cabinet Member on the progression of the Community Right to Bid process in North Lincolnshire.

The Community Right to Bid initiative allowed local community groups or town and parish councils to nominate buildings or land for listing as Assets of Community Value under the Community Right to Bid initiative.

For a local group to successfully nominate an asset it would have to show that:

• it was based within the local authority area (or a neighbouring authority); and
• it was a group that was qualified to make a nomination.

Listed assets must either improve, or had recently improved, the community’s social wellbeing or social interest. They must also be likely of doing so in the future.

The Nominations Register set out the progress made for each nomination from the date it was received through to the listing review, as applicable. The Nominations Register was appended to the report.

Resolved – That the latest information held within the Nominations Register be noted.

33 (33) TOWN CENTRE HOUSING PROJECT – The Director of Places submitted a report setting out an opportunity for the council to work with and support PHASE to bring back in to use two vacant retail units on Scunthorpe High Street.

The council worked closely with PHASE to support young and vulnerable people to find sustainable housing solutions. PHASE currently had a number of properties available to young people, particularly those who were homeless and in need of additional support. However, demand far exceeded supply.

Meeting the housing needs of young people remained a priority for the council. Work had taken place collaboratively with a range of partners to deliver projects such as ‘Build Your Future’ and the ‘Young Parents Supported Housing “PASTURE”’ project.

The North Lincolnshire Core Strategy supported the renaissance of Scunthorpe Town Centre. The developments proposed would closely align to and support the priorities for Scunthorpe’s growth. Moreover, the Housing and Employment Development Plan Document which supported the development of the 300 homes in the town centre.

The vision for Scunthorpe town centre was “A place to live, work and play”. Vacant retail units presented a potential opportunity for conversion to provide town centre living accommodation towards achieving the vision.

The proposal had been developed in order to return vacant units at the top end of the High Street back into use, whilst providing much needed accommodation for young people.

Resolved – (a) That the project and the proposal to contribute £175,000 from the ‘Accommodate Young People in Need’ capital budget, be supported and approved, and (b) that regular reports on progress in delivering the project be submitted to the Cabinet Member.

The corresponding reports of the following items (Minutes 34 and 35 refer) contain exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

34 (34) WESTCLIFF REGENERATION – The Director of Places submitted a report seeking approval to allow the surrender of a lease from the council for a public house in Westcliff, and for an approach to deal with an under lease relating to an adjacent property.

Work had progressed with plans for the regeneration of the Westcliff Precinct area of Scunthorpe. The plans included the provision of five small retail units, one convenience store, a Community Enterprise and Well-Being Hub and 50 units of housing.

The report set out the details of the leases of the properties and suggested options to move the project forward.

Resolved – That the recommendations set out in paragraphs 8.1 to 8.4 of the report be approved.

35 (35) PROPERTY TRANSACTION SCHEDULE – The Director of Places submitted a report for consideration, and where necessary, approval of a schedule containing the terms of all recently negotiated property transactions.